Pool rink conversion kit

ABSTRACT

An accessory for converting a swimming pool into an ice skating rink, the device comprising a series of shields positioned around the inner upper portion of the swimming pool liner attachable together, and an extension ladder positioned upon the ice surface and to which a swimming pool ladder can be fitted.

tJnited States Patent 1151 3,639fl21 Siler 5] Feb. 8, 11972 54] POOL RINK CONVERSION KIT 1,979,623 11/1934 Hunter ..4/172.17 3,358,761 12/1967 Powers 4/172 [72] Inventor: William J. Siler, 4029 Kingsbury Ave.,

' Toledo Ohio 43612 Primary ExaminerSamuel B. Rothberg [22] Filed: May 4, 1970 Assistant Exa minerHenry K. Artis l [21] Appl. No.: 34,625

[57] ABSTRACT {52] US. Cl ..4/l72.1 I An accessory for converting a swimming pool into an ice skat- [5 l 1 Int. Cl. ..E04h 3/16, E04h 3/18 ing rink, the device comprising a series of shields positioned [58] Field of Search ..4/l72, 172.11, 172.12, 172.21, around the inner upper portion of the swimming pool liner at- 4/171 tuehablc together, and an extension ladder positioned upon the ice surface and to which a swimming pool ladder can be 1 References Cited fittedv UNITED STATES PATENTS 4 C aims, 7 Drawing Figures 1,464,804 8/1923 Booraem ..4/l72.11

POOL RINK CONVERSION KIT This invention relates generally to a swimming pool kit for converting a conventional swimming pool into an ice skating rink.

It is generally well known that many persons who enjoy out of door sports are pleased with ownership of an outdoor swimming pool for summertime activity and who would enjoy additionally having an ice skating rink for wintertime activity.

Accordingly, it is the principal activity of the present invention to provide an accessory for attachment to a conventional aboveground, out-of-door swimming pool so that the same can be conveniently converted into an ice skating rink.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pool rink conversion kit which incorporates self-contained means so that the plastic pool liner cannot be punctured by the sharp ends of ice skates.

Still another purpose of the present invention is to provide a pool rink conversion kit which incorporates an extension ladder designed for positioning upon the ice surface and to which conventional pool ladder of certain makes can be easily attached.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a pool rink conversion kit which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and efflcient in operation.

These and other objects will be really evident upon a study of the following specification and accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one of the shield members which comprises a component of the entire assembly;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a crosssectional view taken along the lines 3-3 and showing the securement means for adjacent shield sections, and shown in exploded position;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of an associate extension ladder comprising a component of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view thereof taken in the direction 5-5 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of a spring unit associated with the structure illustrated in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary end elevation view of the extension ladder illustrated in FIG. 5.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral 10 represents a pool rink conversion kit according to the present invention wherein there are a plurality of shields members 11, which are positioned around the inner side of a pool liner 12 supported on the inner side of a sidewall 13 of the swimming pool. The swimming pool is of the type generally known as an aboveground, out-of-door pool and wherein the sidewall supports the pool liner for holding a quantity of swimming water. Such pools particularly of the larger type are provided with a pool seat 14 upon the upper edge thereof as shown in FIG. 1,

Each shield 11, comprises a single arcuate member made of plastic material and which includes an arcuate vertical wall 15 having a major portion thereof struck out to save on material as shown at 16 and which may be in the form of a screen by means of horizontally and vertically extending cross members formed in the plastic so as to permit the pool water to pass therethrough but prevent large objects from passing therethrough. Adjacent to the upper edge of the'vertical arcuate wall 15, there is an arcuate horizontal flange 17 which is positioned against the upper side of the pool seat 14. The lower edge of the vertical sidewall 15 terminates in an adjacent and outwardly extending flange 18 which at its opposite edge has an upwardly extending foot 19 for the purpose of resting against the inner surface of the pool liner l2. Suitable openings 20 are provided upon the top flange 17 so that adjacent shields 11 may be secured together and which are for the purpose of receiving, in many instances, a bolt that is normally used for connecting adjacent sidewall components of the swimming pool. Additionally openings 21, near the opposite side edges of the sidewall 15, serve to secure adjacent shields 11 together; the openings being adaptable to receive a locknut assembly 22 illustrated in FIG. 3, and comprised of bolt 23 receivable within an associate locknut 24.

In operative use, the shields are secured as above described while the water 25 within the swimming pool is still and frozen so that the lower end of the shields can be inserted thereto, as shown in FIG. 1. The water line 26 of the water 25 should be at a desired depth so that for the convenience of ice skating, the upper surface of the flange 17 can serve as a seat for the ice skaters while resting. It will be noted that while ice skating, the skaters are unable to strike with the pointed ends of their ice skates at the swimming pool liner l2 and puncturing it, due to the shield 15 being in spaced relation therefrom, and the small openings in the screen 16 being insufficient in size so as to permit the skate runners to penetrate therethrough.

Thus there is provided a shield assembly which will safeguard the pool equipment while at the same time permitting the enjoyment of ice skating upon the pool during wintertime.

In FIGS. 4 through 7, there is shown an accessory 27 comprising an extension ladder and which is used for converting a conventional swimming pool ladder 28 so that the same may be used during ice skating. Many such ladders 28 are comprised of components which may be separated from each other. At least several of such are made so that an inboard ladder positioned on the inside of the swimming pool is removable from the remainder of the structure. Thus the ladder is left with only the outboard ladder 29 the lower end of which rests upon the ground 30 while the upper end thereof is secured to the U-shaped handgrasps 31. In this invention, the opposite ends of the U-shaped handgrasps are fitted into the extension ladder 27, as shown in FIG. 5. The upper portions of the extension ladder comprise vertical tubes 32 having the upper ends open so as to receive the ends 33 of the handgrasps 31. The upper portions 32 are sufficiently enlarged whereby each portion contains a compression coil spring 34 having at its upper end a circular plate 35 secured thereto and against which the lower end of the members 33 may rest. A lift tab 36 formed upon the top plate 35, serves to permit the lifting of the spring out of the extension ladder during cleaning operation. The lower end of the spring 34 rests upon a shoulder 37 formed upon the extension ladder which is of generally H- shaped configuration. The lower ends of the extension ladder comprises a pair of legs 38, the lower end of which are outwardly flared so as to form a suitable foot 39 for resting upon the ice surface 40. The compression cross spring may be made in different lengths so as to suit various lengths of ladders. A suitable setscrew 41 threadingly secured to the ends 33 are receivable through slots 42 in the upper portions of the extension ladder 27 and which are for the purpose of securing the extension ladder rigidly to the conventional pool ladder.

What I now claim is:

l. In a swimming pool rink conversion kit suitable for converting a swimming pool into an ice skating rink, the combination of a protective shield assembly so to protect a vinyl swimming pool liner from damage by ice skates, said shield assembly being comprised of a plurality of arcuate shields for placement adjacent to the inner side of a conventional aboveground swimming pool, each said shield being made of plastic and having a vertical sidewall paralleled to and positioned in spaced relation from said liner of said swimming pool.

2. The swimming pool rink conversion kit as set forth in claim I, wherein the uppermost portion of said protective shield assembly is a flange parallel to the uppermost edge portion of the sidewall of said swimming pool to form a seat and a supporting surface for the portion of the shield assembly adjacent the swimming pool sidewall.

3. The swimming pool rink conversion kit of claim 2, wherein said portion of the shield assembly adjacent the swimming pool sidewall liner has a grill having a plurality of small perforations to allow for ice expansion and a lower flange to maintain said spaced relation with respect to said liner whereby said shield assembly is provided additional supmeans upon which the downward ends of a U-shaped ladder handgrasp is fitted, the lower end of said ladder adapted to rest upon the surface of the ice without piercing the same or causing sudden pressure upon the same while in use. 

1. In a swimming pool rink conversion kit suitable for converting a swimming pool into an ice skating rink, the combination of a protective shield assembly so to protect a vinyl swimming pool liner from damage by ice skatEs, said shield assembly being comprised of a plurality of arcuate shields for placement adjacent to the inner side of a conventional aboveground swimming pool, each said shield being made of plastic and having a vertical sidewall paralleled to and positioned in spaced relation from said liner of said swimming pool.
 2. The swimming pool rink conversion kit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the uppermost portion of said protective shield assembly is a flange parallel to the uppermost edge portion of the sidewall of said swimming pool to form a seat and a supporting surface for the portion of the shield assembly adjacent the swimming pool sidewall.
 3. The swimming pool rink conversion kit of claim 2, wherein said portion of the shield assembly adjacent the swimming pool sidewall liner has a grill having a plurality of small perforations to allow for ice expansion and a lower flange to maintain said spaced relation with respect to said liner whereby said shield assembly is provided additional support and stability, said perforations being smaller in size the pointed ends of ice skates.
 4. The swimming pool rink conversion kit of claim 3, wherein an H-shaped configurated extension ladder is associated with said shield assembly, said ladder having a pair of hollow tubes at its upper end containing compression spring means upon which the downward ends of a U-shaped ladder handgrasp is fitted, the lower end of said ladder adapted to rest upon the surface of the ice without piercing the same or causing sudden pressure upon the same while in use. 